No matter who you are, living with a mental health condition can be challenging, but for some, culture, race, and ethnic background can exacerbate mental health challenges, and create disparities in access to quality mental health care.

Even as the nation grapples with the sad case of Sandra Bland, there is a part of this story which is really being ignored. Official autopsy results have concluded that she died as the result of suicide. The family vehemently disagrees, as does much of the nation, but what if she did?

As we hold everyone involved in the horrific tragedy in Aurora in our thoughts, I wanted to take a moment to share a snapshot of the moments of my shock and horror when the news broke about the verdict in your son's case.

We should also take a moment this month to recognize the red flags that we have overlooked and remember those who have perished because we haven't taken action: the red flags of mental health that are far too often unseen.

Even still, talking about these things allows everyone to be on the same page. If I had known that my mother was actually suffering from a mental illness then I may have been better able to recognize the signs she was clearly showing before she took her life. I may not have been able to stop her, but I would have been given the opportunity to try.

Stereotypes continue to linger around mental illness. However it is time we as a society dig deeper and learn more about what it means to be mentally ill. People who suffer from mental illness are not the criminals. It seems to be the exact opposite. They are in fact more likely to be the victims.

Some people think science is dry or boring and has nothing to do with their lives. Still more believe that science has become so complex that politicians are incapable of talking about it, that no one but scientists can discuss it. But science is now so integral to every aspect of our lives that it has to be talked about by those who wield power.

Let's hope that political rhetoric this time around reaches a higher standard. A good start indeed would be for candidates at every level to take the stigmafree pledge. It's simple to do and would be a good start for continuing the national conversation about mental health care policy throughout campaigns as they unfold.

Not only do statements such as, "I'm so depressed," or, "I swear I'm bipolar," diminish the reality of mental illness, but they also reduce the experiences of true victims to "just emotions." Depression isn't a mask you can slip on at your leisure to validate negative feelings.

If we call the criminal justice system in the US the largest facility that caters mentally ill patients, it won't be a statement much disputed. One of the largest numbers of mentally ill patients in the US is catered in the jails and prison facilities, instead of mental health institutions.

The system of mental health care seems to have taken a step back with jails being the largest mental institution in the U.S. today. This means that the state funding that was once taken out of the budget and the countries' economic revenue is now being used on state prisons instead of mental health system hospitals.

My depression worsened and my isolation grew. I managed to, somehow, keep my company afloat, but my constant companion during those days was a terrible inner voice saying, on repeat, "life is terrible, and it will never get better."

One of the most important things is understanding the difference between mental illness and wellness. The more we talk about mental health the way we talk about physical health, the more we can decrease the stigma and shame that often impedes those in our communities from getting the help that they need. Please share your stories, join the discussion and stay tuned!

In the summer of 1986, I had the opportunity to work as a chaplain in a large trauma hospital. That's where I met Jim. He was about my age at the time, 24 years old. The previous evening, he had attempted suicide by taking an overdose of sleeping medication.